CeeLo GreenSinger and US TV personality CeeLo Green has pleaded no contest to a charge of slipping ecstasy to a woman with whom he was on a date in 2012.
According to reports, Green's plea in response to the charge — more formally one felony count of furnishing a controlled substance — involved a degree of denial, with the singer telling Los Angeles County Superior Court, "I plead no contest where I maintain my innocence."
He had previously pleaded not guilty to the charge.
The plea means that the Fuck You! crooner and former The Voice US judge will avoid jail time, though he was sentenced by Judge Mark Young to three years' probation, 360 hours of community service, 52 substance abuse therapy sessions (Narcotics Anonymous/AA), pay restitution to his victim, and will be forced to register as a controlled substance offender.
Prosecutors had asserted that 39-year-old Green, whose real name is Thomas DeCarlo Callaway, had "slipped" the ecstasy to his 33-year-old date in July 2012. The victim reportedly had made a recording of Green referring to doing so later on, according to law enforcement, and said that she believed her drink had been spiked, as the "next thing" she remembered was waking up naked with him in her hotel room.
However, a felony sexual assault charge had been rejected, with Green's lawyer, Blair Berk, earlier explaining that any sexual contact between Green and his victim was consensual.
Green will face court again for a progress report hearing on March 2 next year.
